A Science-Backed Project
Kitchen Adventure is aligned with a previous pilot study, led by the University of Navarra, which investigated the relationship between parenting and food. The study showed that educational interventions related to food increase the likelihood of establishing or strengthening healthy eating habits in the long term, thus benefiting the reduction and prevention of chronic diseases, as well as promoting the health and well-being of families.
The research group conducted a 9-month study comprising in-person (3 hours per session) and online workshops (2 hours). The aim was to evaluate ten factors in total: openness to new foods, food as a group ritual, increased family comfort, palate development, peer support, “recipe planning,” culinary skills training or reinforcement, and success in changing habits.
As with Kitchen Adventure, the various workshops of the pilot study allowed for the exploration of cooking from every perspective. Following an initial lesson on the nutritional properties of plants and their cooking methods, the focus shifted to sustainable diets, seasonal and local produce, and advanced cooking techniques. The use of spices to enhance flavour without adding excess fat or salt was also explored, as these can harm our bodies in large quantities. The final two parts covered replacing refined grains with healthier, more nutritious whole grains and taught participants how to plan and prepare meals for the entire week, create a shopping list, and make the most of their kitchen pantry.
Kitchen Adventure workshops also investigate family eating habits in several European countries (Spain, Hungary, Bulgaria, and Poland), with each country designing dishes to teach families that combine nutritional value, tastiness, and sustainability. Examples include grilled vegetables with ricotta cream and a basil dressing, and Polish-style pizza: easy-to-make dishes that are full of flavour and highly nutritious. Tests assessing knowledge of foods and their environmental impact were administered to both children and parents before the theoretical and practical lessons. Further tests will be conducted at the end of the project to evaluate the effectiveness of these interventions.
Exciting Pilot Results: Some Positive Data
Considering the high degree of satisfaction with the pilot activities, we are confident in the success of Kitchen Adventure. According to the University of Navarra, 84.6% of children reported a significant improvement in their cooking skills, while an even higher proportion 92.3% improved their knowledge of nutrition. Equally positive results were observed on the parental side: 84.6% reported a significant increase in the variety of food purchased and regularly prepared at home, and 92.3% demonstrated a greater awareness of the nutritional impact and health benefits of food, as well as an increased interest in cooking and gastronomy in general. Meanwhile, 84.6% are more inclined to buy local and seasonal produce, and are committed to reducing food waste.
The primary goal was to measure the increase in adherence to Mediterranean diet ingredients increased after the intervention. This was partially achieved among children, who increased their consumption of vegetables, legumes, and water (instead of sugary drinks), fruit, and fish (instead of meat, which has a higher environmental impact). They also decrease their consumption of sources of fat other than olive oil, as well as in processed foods and snacks. Among parents, adherence to the Mediterranean diet was even greater, along with a stronger tendency to cook at home. They also considered it important to know how to cook different ingredients to maximise their nutritional value. Concurrently, their perception of the difficulty of cooking changed, viewing it as a much more accessible activity, and they became more convinced of the importance of eating three portions of fruit a day.
Towards sustainability!
Although the project is still in its intermediate phase, Kitchen Adventure has already received high praise from parents and children alike. Based on these results, we have all the foundations for a positive change in eating habits. The greatest advantage is that the healthiest foods also have the lowest environmental impact, so we should take full advantage of this opportunity to improve our living conditions, starting with what we put on the table.
This article was written by the Kitchen Adventure team
